Mechanical loader particularly for use in mines



March 17, 1931. A. Y. HOY 4 -1' MECHANICAL LOADER PARTICULARLY FOR USE IN MINES Filed 001;. 11, 1927 3 Sheets-Sheet l I A A Iii/0670207.- 'Azastiw Xflay.

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A. Y. HoY 1,796,459

MECHANICAL LOADER PARTICULARLY FOR USE IN MINES Filed Oct. -1l, 1927 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Java n 20 7"." Azlshm X1709.

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March 17, 1931. A. Y. HOY 9 MECHANICAL LOADER PARTICULARLY FOR USE IN MINES Filed-Oct. 11, 1927 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 171g. .9. 7 1 a Q v\\ [Yawn/Z07": AZZSZQ'IW YTHog.

Patented Mar. 17, 1931 NI STATES PATENT orrics eusrrn YOUNG Honor LONDON, ENGLAND, ASSIGNQR T0 SULLIVAN MACHINERY COMPANY, A CORPORATION or mnssnorrnsnrrs MECHANICAL LOADER PAR/DIGULARLY FOR USE IN MINES Application filed October 11, 1927, Serial No. 225,533, and in Great Britain January 21, 1927.

This invention consists inimprovements in or relating to mechanical loaders particularly for use in mines for removing coal, or other mineral which has been broken down at the working face.

The invention is principally concerned with the problem of transferring coal from a mechanical loader operating on the broken coal on one side of a row of props to the opposite side of said props where for example the coal may be deliveredon to a face conveyor. On account of the obstruction of the props the use of a loader having a fixed transverse chute delivering to the opposite side of the row is practically impossible, and a loader of the known type having a tail con.- veyor mounted to swivel horizontally is also impracticable.

This invention provides a mechanical loader having a discharge'chute which at its inner end is pivotally mounted on the loader so as to be capable of being swung horizontally, and which is soconstructed that its outer or discharge end may be collapsed inwardly to reduce the length of the chute.

In one construction according to'the invention the discharge chute comprises'a rigid body-portion pivotally mounted on the loader, and a collapsible tail-portion articulated to the body-portion and arranged normally to form a lengthwise extension thereof.

Vihen a loader, constructedas above described, is to operate along a seam onone side of a row of props and to deliver to the opposite side of said row, the discharge chute is disposed transverselyof the loader with the collapsible tail-portion ext-ending between two props and dischargingsay on to a face conveyor running parallel with the line of props. lVhen the chute meets a prop the tail-portion may be collapsed into a position clear of the prop, and thechute then swung forwardly past the prop, when the tailp,or-

tion may be again extended and delivery of the coal on to the face conveyor continued. With this arrangement'the interruption, at each prop, in the transferenceof coal to the opposite side of the row is reduced to a minimum. I I

Preferably the collapsible:tail portion of the chute comprises two hinged sections lo cated slde by side, one section being movable upwardly about a horizontal axis and the other movable inwardly about an upwardly extending axis near one. side of thechute.

An example, embodying the foregoing and other features of the invention, will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation showing in outline the complete loader with chute attachment. Fig. 2 is an end elevation (to a larger scale than Fig. 1 of the rear portion of the loader. Fig. 3 is a plan corresponding to Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a plan to a larger scale than Fig. 3 and showing the discharge chute in relation to a prop.

Figs. 5, 6 and 7 are side elevations of the body portion of the chute, the horizontally hinged flap and the vertically hinged flap respectively.

Fig. 8 is a central vertical longitudinal sectional view showing the mounting of the chute and a mechanism for reciprocating the latter, and

Figs. 9 and 10. are cross sections at the lines 9-9 and 1010 on Fig. 8 respectively.

Like referencenumerals indicate like parts throughout the drawings.

The loader has a tractor mounting 12- and is driven by a motor (not shown) located in the central portion of the machine. A horizontal rotary rake 13 extends transversely across the front of the machine and is carried on pivotally mounted arms 14: bymeans of which the rake may be raised and lowered; The rake operates to drag the coal (which has been, broken down at the working face) on to a shovel 15 from which it is transported by a drag-flight conveyor 16 running longitudinally of the machine to the rear end thereof. The discharge end of the drag-fiight conveyor, show'nat 66 in Fig. 1, overhangs and delivers on to a chute 17 which normally-extends transversely of the machine as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. The chute 17 so mounted that it is capable of being swung about a vertical axis 65 located near its inner end, and the arrangement is such that for every angular setting of the chute the innerend will be in a position to receive coal discharged at the rear end 66 of the dragfiight conveyor. The chute slopes downwardly towards its discharge end, the inclination to the horizontal being approximately 20. The loader is intended to operate near the working face and on one side of a row. of props 18 (see Fig. l), the chute 17 being of such length that when it extends transversely on one side of the machine and across the line of props its discharge end will overlie a face conveyor 19 situated on the opposite side of the props and extending parallel therewith.

In order to permit the loader being moved past each prop the chute 17 is made in two portions, a rigid body-portion and a collapsible tail-portion. The body-portion comprises a base 20 and side *alls 21, 22. The collapsible tail-portion, which is articulated to the body-portion, comprises two hinged flaps 23, 2% arranged side-by-side across the width of the body-portion and normally cooperating to form an extension of said bodyportion, which extension delivers on to the face conveyor. The flap 28 (herein referred to'as the vertically hinged flap) has an upstanding side wall 25 which is pivotally connected by hinges 26 to the rear edge of the side wall 21 of the body portion aforesaid. The upstanding wall 25 of the flap 23 e tends from the axis of the hinges 26 to a point 27 about midway in the length of the flap. The base portion of the flap 23 lies in a plane below that of the base 20 of the body-portion,so that the flap may be turned inwardly about its hinges 26 to occupy a position beneath the base 20. The flap 2-l (herein referred to as the horizontally hinged flap) is pivotally connected by hinges 28 to to the rear edge of the ba e 20 of the bodyportion. Each of the flaps 23 and 2a is slightly greater in width than half the width of the body-portion of the chute, so that at the centerof the extension the flaps overlap, the flap 2% being uppermost. The flap is made in two sections hinged together at 29 so that the outer section may be folded .ipwardly to a position at right angles to the inner section and the inner section then folded upwardly about the hinges 28 to a position at right angles to the base 20 of the body portion. hen the flap 2% is in the extended or open position (shown in Figs. 3 and a) the flap 23 can only be partially closed, the base of the flap 2st acting'as a stop for the side wall 25 of the flap 23. The partially closed position of the flap 23 is shown in full lines in Fig. l. lVhen the sections 24: have been. folded inwardly about the hinges 28 and 29, the flap 23 may be completely closed, and in this position theside wall 25 of the flap 23 cooperates with the base of the inner section of the flap 24: to form a complete end closure for the body-portion of the chute. Each section of the flap 2% is formed with a side Wall 30 and at the hinges 28 and 29 the meeting edges of the walls 30 and the side wall 22 of the body portion are arranged to overlap (as shown clearly in Fig. 4:) so as to permit of one section being folded back on to the other and finally of the flap as a whole being folded backon the body portion of the chute.

The operation of the apparatus, so far described, is as follows:

The loader is propelled along the aisle with the chute lfdisposed transversely and both flaps 23 and 2a in the extended position. The fiaps extend across the line of props l8 and at their outer ends they deliver on to the face conveyor 19. This position of the chute is shown in chain lines in Fig. 4c. \Vhen the chute is approaching a prop, and while the loader continues to advance, the attendant turns the chute baclrwardly about the pivotal axis to an extent such that further movement would bring a portion of the discharge end of the chute out of register withthe face conveyor. On the continued advance of the loader the side wall 25 of the vertically hinged flap meets a prop l8 and is thereby turned about the hinge 26 until the upstanding wall comes into contact with the base of the horizontally hinged flap This positionof the chute is shown in full lines in Fig. 4. The side wall 25 of the flap 23 acts to deflect the coal on to the horizontally hinged flap 2% so that, as the loader progresses, the delivery of coal from the chute is only slightly restricted. The attendant now swingsthe flap sections 24 upwardly (about the hinges 29, '28) clear of the prop. The vertically hinged flap 23 can then be pushed inwardly sufficiently far to clear the props, and if desired to the full extent so that the outlet for coal is completely closed. 3 11611 the flaps have been moved as aforesaid clear of the props the chute as a whole is swung forwart ly about the axis (55 so that it again assumes the position shown in chain lines in Fig. l. The flaps 23, 21 are then extended and unrestricted delivery of the coal is again permitted. The operation of opening and closing the iiaps and of turning the chute about its pivot may be performed manually or by mechanical means (not shown) con trolled by the operator. Practically no maneffort is required to open the flaps because the coal which has ben delivered on to the inclined body-portion of the chute tends by its weight to swing the flaps into the open position. By employing the method described above the loader may be moved past each prop in turn without interfering to any substantial extent with the continued delivery of t-he'coal from'the chute on to the face conveyor.

In the illustrated example the parts constituting the collapsible tail-portion of the chute are designed for use when the loader is traveling in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 4 and delivering on to a face conveyor as V shown. In order that the chute may be pfor reversed operation the flaps 23 and 24 are removed and a horizontally hinged flap horizontal.

is fitted in place of the flap 23 and a vertically hinged flap in place of the flap 24.

It is impracticable toemploy a chute inclined at a sufiiciently steep angle to the horizontal to ensure that the coal will gravitate of its own accord to the discharge end thereof. The inclination of the chute is therefore made comparatively small (in the illustrated example to the horizontal) and means are provided for imparting a jigging, vibrating, oscillating or like motion to the chute to as sist the flow of coal down the chute.

For example, the means shown in Fig. 8 may be employed, such vibrating device being the invention of one Gilbert Riinmer. No claim is made in this application to the specific details of the vibrating device per se. .This device is adapted to impart a rapid reciprocatory movement to the chute in the direction of its length and to thereby ensure the con tinned discharge of the coal. I

The chute is mounted on ball bearings for reciprocatory movement along a horizontal jib 31 mounted for swinging movement about the vertical axis 65 hereinbefore referred to. The jib 31 is formed integrally with and extends laterally from the upper end of a sleeve 32 which in turn is supported in a bearing 33 forming a. rigid portion of the loader frame. The body portion 20 of the chute is secured to a horizontal support 34 by means of screws 35, a disc piece36 having wedge-shaped projections or bosses 37 being interposed between the chute and the support '34 for the purpose ofsupporting the .chute at the desired inclination to the The construction of the chutesupport 34 and of the jib 31 is shown in Figs. 9 and 10. As willbe seen thesupport 34 is formed at its side margins with downwardly extending flanges 38 which embrace the sides of the jib. 'At the innerend of the jib the chute-support rests on balls 39 (Fig. 10) mounted on the side-ledges 40* of the jib which constitute ball tracks. The balls 39 are located between the side flanges 38 of the chute-support and vertical ribs 41 on the jib. The weight of the chute, plus thatof the coal supported on it, tends to tilt up the outer :end

of the support 34, and in order to counteract this tendency the ball bearing at the outer end of the chute-support is inverted. The ribs 41 extend for the complete length of the jib and over a portion of that length near the outer end of the jib the ribs are formed with outwardly extending horizontal flanges 42 as shown in Fig. 9. Over substantially the same portion in the length of the jib the side ledges 40 are cut away to accommodate the inwardly extending horizontal flanges 43 of angle brackets 44 which are bolted or otherwise secured to the flanges 38 of the chutesupport. Balls 45, located between the horizontal flanges 42 and 43, guide the chute-support in its reciprocating movement and oppose the tendency for the outer end 01 the support to tilt upwardly.

The support 34 is reciprocatedby means of an eccentric rod 46 operated from a shaft 47 located within the sleeve 32 for rotation about the vertical axis 65. A horizontal shaft 48, driven by the motor of the loader, furnishes the drive for the verticalshaft 47 byway of bevel pinions 49 and intermeshing gears 50 which provide a step up :in speed. The eccentric rod 46 which operates in the space between the ribs 41 on the jib is connected one end by a strap 51 to an eccentric pin 52 on the upper end of the shaft 47; and at the other end the rodengages a pin 53 proj ecting from the underside of the chutesup- .port 34. -As the pivotal axis of the jib is coincident with the axis of the shaft-47, the jib may at any time be swung into different positions of adjustment irrespective of the particular point in its travel at which the chute support is located. It will be understood that the chute, the chute support 34 and the jib 31 .form a single unit which is adjustable angularly about the vertical axis 65' While I have in this application specifically described one form which the invention may assume in practice, it will be understood that this form of the same is'shown for purposes of illustration and that the invention may be modified and embodied in various other forms without departing from its spirit or the scope of the appended claims. lV-h'at I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: a

1. The combination with a mechanical loader adapted to operate along a 'seam at one side of a row of props, of a discharge chute comprising a rigid body portion pivotally mounted on the loader and a collapsible tail portion articulated tothe body portion and arranged normally to form a lengthwise extension thereof, the collapsible tail portion comprising two hinged sections located side by side, one section being movable upwardly about a horizontal axis and the other section movable inwardly about an upwardly extending axis near one side of the chute, said discharge chute being disposed during at least a portion of the-movement of the loader along the seam transversely of the loader and ar 'anged' with said collapsi le tail portion extending between two props and the verti- 'cally hinged section of the tail portion in a said loader so as to be capable of being swung horizontally, and said end members being pivoted to-said body portion whereby said end members may form an articulated tail portion of said discharge chute, one of said members being pivoted to said body portion to swing inwardly about a substantially vertical axis and another of said members being pivoted to said body portion to tilt about a substantially horizontal axis.

3. In combination with a mechanical loader, a discharge chute comprising a body portion and a plurality of end members, said body port-ion being pivotally mounted on said loader so as to be capable of being swung horizontally, and said end members being pivoted to said body portion and arranged side by side whereby said end members may form an articulated tail portion of said discharge chute, one or" said members being pivoted to said body portion to swing inwardly about a substantially vertical axis at one side of said body portion and another of said members being pivoted to said body POI'LlOIl to tilt about a substantially horizontal axis.

'4. In combination with a mechanical loader, a discharge chute comprising a body portion and a plurality of end members, said bot y portion being pivotallymounted on said loader so as to be capable of being swung horizontally, and said end members being pivoted to said body portion and arranged side by side, one of said members being pivoted to said body portion to swing inwardly about a substantially vertical axis at one side of said body portion and another of said members being pivoted to said body portion to tilt vertically about a substantially horizontal axis, said last mentioned member comprising sections hinged together whereby said end members may form a collapsible tail portion of said discharge chute.

In combination with a mechanical loader, av discharge chute comprisin a body portion and an end po "tion, said body portion being pivotally mounted on said loader so as to be capable of being'swung about a vertical axis so as to ex end transversely of said loader, and said end portion being pivotally mounted for rearward and inward swinging movement relative to said body portionabout a substantially vertical axis at the leading side of said bodyportion, said end portion comprising an upward extension arranged to block a portion of the discharge outlet of the chute when said end portion is swung rearwardly and inwardly.

6. In combination with a mechanical loader for use in mines, a discharge chute pivotally mounted on said loader so a; to be capable of bein swung about a verti al axis, said discharge chute comprising a pivoted end portion having at one side a portion adapted to swing inwardly about a substantially vertical axis at one side of said chute, the other side of said end portion from said pivot swinging into overlapping relation wnereby the discharge end of sald chute may be collapsed inwardly to reduce the length of the chute.

7. In combination with a mechanical leader, a discharge chute comprising a body portion and end portions, said body portion being pivotally mounted on said loader so as to be capable of being swung about a vertical axis, one or said end portions being pivotally mounted on said body portion for upward and inward tilting movement relative thereto on a substantially horizontal axis and another of said end portions being pivotally mounted on said body portion for inward swinging movement relative thereto about a substantially vertical axis, a portion of said latter end portion engaging said upwardly tilting portion for maintaining the same in tilted relation.

8. In combination with a mechanical loader, a discharge chute comprising a body portion havin a bottom and a side wall, said body portion being pivotally mounted on said loader so as to be capable of being swung about a vertical axis, and end portions, one pivoted to said side wall for inward swinging movement relative to said body portion about a substantially vertical. axis, and anther pivoted to said bottom for upward and inward tilting movement relative to said body portion on a substantially horizontal axis.

9. In combination with a mechanical loader, a discharge chute comprising a body portion having a bottom and side walls, said body portion being pivotally mounted'on said load-er so as to be capable of being swung about a vertical axis,- and end portions, one pivoted to a side wall for inward swinging movement relative to said body portion about a. substantially vertical axis, and another pivoted to said bottom for upward and inward tilting movement relative to said body portion on a substantially horizontal axis, said end portion pivoted to a side wall having a wall for closing a portion oi the discharge outlet of the chute when swung inwardly, whereby said end portions may cooperate with said side walls to pocket the material.

10. The combination with a mechanical loader adapted to operate along a seam at one side of a row of props, of a discharge chute mounted on said loader for adjustment to a position transversely of the loader, said discharge chute comprising a bottom, a side wall at the leading side of said chute, and an end portion having a bottom and a side wall, said side walls being pivotally connected and said bottoms being relatively movable into overlapping relation whereby said end portion may be collapsed inwardly when said end portion is engaged by a prop as the loader progresses.

11. The combination with a mechanical loader adapted to operate along a seam at one side of a row of props, of a discharge chute pivotally mounted on said loader for horizontal swinging movement to a position in which it extends transversely of the loader, said discharge chute comprising a bottom, a side wall at the leading side of said chute, and an end portion having a bottom and a side wall, said side walls being pivotally connected and said bottoms being relatively movable into overlapping relation whereby said end portion may swing rearwardly and inwardly when engaged by a prop to permit passing of the same as the loader progresses.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

AUSTIN YOUNG HOY. 

